Seth Godin - www.sethgodin.com
Author (Purple Cow, The Dip, Free Prize Inside)
Founder of www.squidoo.com
Seth, you're one of my favourite authors and I've just finished reading both The Dip and Small is the New Big (loved them!) but what I'd like to know is - what are the books you've read in your life that have really changed you and had a large impact on your thinking and why?
Here are some oddball selections that aren't necessarily favorites but can get someone's thinking started:
You're so darn approachable and reachable! I'm always stunned to find reply emails from you almost immediately. Do you ever sleep - and how do you fit it all in (ie: any time management tips for our readers)?
Quit what you're not great at or have a chance of being great at.
Do less.
Biting off more than you can chew is overrated, I think.
What's your favourite blog post (of your own) so far in 2008?
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/01/music-lessons.html
What websites most capture your attention these days?
My RSS reader. I've got dozens/hundreds of feeds coming in. Experts in very tiny areas are fascinating to listen to. Better than a shortwave radio.
What 5 pieces of advice would you give to someone wanting to start their own business?
- Start
- Read the bootstrappers bible, it's free - www.squidoo.com/seth
- Engage with customers early and often
- Say no frequently
- Make money before you spend money
When you were 13 years old what did you think you wanted to be when you grew up?
This! Exactly this.
I'm a big believer that successful people fail more times than most the defining characteristic being that they learn from their failures. What have been some of the failures or challenges in your business and how have you learnt from them and would you change anything if you could go back?
My list is way too long for this email. I regret not starting a search engine in 1995. I regret thinking too small in many of the first businesses I started. Small thinking with small goals and small deliverables to the wrong clients.
But you know what? I'm not sure I'd change much. The misses are worth at least as much as the hits.
What one statement best sums up your philosophy to life?
Is it interesting? Fast? Fun? Fair? Will the people who interact with it be glad they did?
What question would you ask yourself if you were interviewing you (and answer it too please!)
What's dashi?
It's an amazing japanese seaweed broth.
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